When the bitter cold of the Northern Wastelands swept across Rhûn on the north wind, bending the grass that was gradually yellowing in the wilderness, it signaled the arrival of the hardest season of the year: winter.
For the savage, warlike Easterlings, this harsh season was also when internal strife was at its worst. Smaller tribes would cast out elderly people who could no longer work, then willingly offer tribute to seek protection from the strong, while powerful factions prepared for battle, ever wary of attacks from others.
It was not only the humans who had fallen into darkness. Even the animals living in this vast wilderness migrated south together, heading for warmer lands where water and pasture remained plentiful.
Predators such as wolf packs and wild leopards often followed the movements of wild horses, bison, and antelope. The Easterlings, experienced hunters themselves, followed the predators' tracks and seized every animal they could carry away when the opportunity arose.
"Woof, woof, woof! Woof, woof, woof!" "Woof!" "Woof!"
The hunting hounds noticed movement and drew their masters' attention with a burst of urgent barking. At their riders' whooping cries, sturdy horses broke into a gallop, charging toward a wolf pack that had already begun hunting a large herd of antelope.
Soon, the plains lost every trace of their former peace. The slender-legged, agile antelope discovered mid-flight that they were surrounded. They scattered with frightened cries, only to be dragged down by gray wolves pouncing on them one after another.
But before the wolves could enjoy the fruits of their labor, sharp arrows struck them, their mouths still dripping blood. They fled with pained whines, but those wounded by arrows could not get far. Before long, blood loss and exhaustion would leave them collapsed on the ground.
In the end, the antelope